Association Between the Oral Health Status and Sociodemographic Factors Among 5–15-Year-Old Schoolchildren from Mallorca, Spain—A Cross-Sectional Study

<i>Background:</i> Oral health is a key indicator of general health, well-being, and quality of life. Sociodemographic factors can affect children's oral health status. The aim of this study was to analyze the sociodemographic factors that influence the oral health of schoolchildren in Mallorca. <i>Materials and methods:</i> We conducted a cross-sectional observational epidemiological study in Mallorca, analyzing different indicators of oral health, such as the DMFT/dmft index and the Community Periodontal Index (CPI), and sociodemographic variables among 718 schoolchildren aged 5-6, 12 and 15 years. <i>Results:</i> The DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Permanent Teeth) caries index was higher in public (Pub) schools than in private/charter (P/C) schools for children in the sixth grade of elementary school (Pub, 0.6918 ± 1.272; P/C, 0.323 ± 0.824; <i>p</i> < 0.05) and in the fourth year of secondary school (Pub, 1.178 ± 1.724; P/C, 0.627 ± 1.195; <i>p</i> < 0.05), as determined using a <i>t</i>-test. First-grade elementary students with more highly educated mothers/guardians had a lower rate of DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Primary Teeth) caries than those whose mothers obtained only elementary-level education (higher, 0.800 ± 1.616; elementary, 3.333 ± 3.393; <i>p</i> < 0.05). Regarding periodontal health, we observed that sixth-grade elementary schoolchildren with more highly educated mothers/guardians had more healthy sextants (higher, 3.987 ± 1.977; elementary, 1.333 ± 2.461; <i>p</i> < 0.001). <i>Conclusions:</i> The sociodemographic and parental factors analyzed, such as the type of school and parents' education levels, significantly affected the oral health of the schoolchildren in this study.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Children
Published
2025-04-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/children12040527
Citations
3
Primary Topic
Dental Health and Care Utilization
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
4.40
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Association Between the Oral Health Status and Sociodemographic Factors Among 5–15-Year-Old Schoolchildren from Mallorca, Spain—A Cross-Sectional Study

Nora López-Safont, Daniela Vallejos, Irene Coll Campayo
3 citations
Children
Dental Health and Care Utilization
4.40
article

Association Between the Oral Health Status and Sociodemographic Factors Among 5–15-Year-Old Schoolchildren from Mallorca, Spain—A Cross-Sectional Study

Nora López-Safont, Daniela Vallejos, Irene Coll Campayo
article en
3 citations

Abstract

<i>Background:</i> Oral health is a key indicator of general health, well-being, and quality of life. Sociodemographic factors can affect children's oral health status. The aim of this study was to analyze the sociodemographic factors that influence the oral health of schoolchildren in Mallorca. <i>Materials and methods:</i> We conducted a cross-sectional observational epidemiological study in Mallorca, analyzing different indicators of oral health, such as the DMFT/dmft index and the Community Periodontal Index (CPI), and sociodemographic variables among 718 schoolchildren aged 5-6, 12 and 15 years. <i>Results:</i> The DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Permanent Teeth) caries index was higher in public (Pub) schools than in private/charter (P/C) schools for children in the sixth grade of elementary school (Pub, 0.6918 ± 1.272; P/C, 0.323 ± 0.824; <i>p</i> < 0.05) and in the fourth year of secondary school (Pub, 1.178 ± 1.724; P/C, 0.627 ± 1.195; <i>p</i> < 0.05), as determined using a <i>t</i>-test. First-grade elementary students with more highly educated mothers/guardians had a lower rate of DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Primary Teeth) caries than those whose mothers obtained only elementary-level education (higher, 0.800 ± 1.616; elementary, 3.333 ± 3.393; <i>p</i> < 0.05). Regarding periodontal health, we observed that sixth-grade elementary schoolchildren with more highly educated mothers/guardians had more healthy sextants (higher, 3.987 ± 1.977; elementary, 1.333 ± 2.461; <i>p</i> < 0.001). <i>Conclusions:</i> The sociodemographic and parental factors analyzed, such as the type of school and parents' education levels, significantly affected the oral health of the schoolchildren in this study.

ChildrenVol. 12(4)
Research Institute of Health Sciences (ES), Universitat de les Illes Balears (ES)
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Dental Health and Care Utilization
4.40
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.